The Police in Ebonyi State have intercepted 753 live ammunition of General-Purpose Machine Gun, GPMG, concealed in a sack being transported in a commercial vehicle from Abakaliki in Ebonyi to Umuahia, the Abia capital.
In a statement on Sunday, May 2, 2021, Force spokesman, Frank Mba said the intelligence-driven covert operation was part of efforts to identify and a crackdown on criminal networks and supply chains for weapons and ammunition.
Mba disclosed that comprehensive investigations aimed at bringing to book all persons linked to the crime were ongoing.
However, following investigations into the foiled bank robbery on the Onueke branch of a commercial bank in Ebonyi in January 2021, the Police stormed the hideout of suspects located at Oriuzo village in Ezza North Local Government Area.
Mba said the suspects, on sighting the Police squad, opened fire. After the battle, 3 members of the gang, two male and one female, died due to bullet injuries.
Two AK 47 riffles, 5 pump action guns, 6 pistols, 50 Ak47 ammunition, 126 cartridges, jack knives, cutlasses, and a 40-page notebook containing inventories of ammunition purchased by the gang were found.
A Honda Pilot Jeep with Reg No. ABJ 163 NJ used for the foiled bank robbery was also recovered.
The Police further traced the suspects to a shrine where the robbers usually go for mystical powers before their operations. Two of the suspects were arrested.
Mba added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the gang and their spiritual godfather – the chief priest of the shrine.
